New England

Shannon Appelcline: I rated New England highly when I originally played it, and despite its large box size it continues to make it into my gamebag and gets a few plays a year.

The tile-laying aspect of New England is pretty unique, with its tight constraints on tile placement matched up with the need to create larger plots of land. The auction mechanism is entirely unique & there's always a lot of tension in seeing which cards and tiles other people will take, and where they will build.

It does have some flaws. I've more than once seen who takes each of 1, 2, 3, and 4 become really staid as the turns move around the table. However, I'd never say it was boring. The tension keeps it going for me and the interesting & unique gameplay keeps it coming back to the table.

[Shannon's rating is "8" out of "10".]